At Fix & Flow Plumbing, we understand how important it is for you to create a safe and secure home for you and your family. But sometimes a house can present some unforeseeable and dangerous issues, like gas leaks. While they may go unnoticed at first, a natural gas leak can cause serious damage to your home and your health. These leaks not only pollute your air, hurting both you and your environment, but they also pose the risk of starting a fire or causing an explosion. To deal with a gas leak, you need to know how to identify it and what to do once you find it. Read on to learn exactly how you can find a leak and protect your home.
How Do I Know I Have a Gas Leak?
Recognizing that you have a gas leak is the first step in fixing it. A gas leak in your home can have many causes, from aging pipelines to faulty appliances, or even improper gas line installation. These causes can present a wide variety of signs including dead houseplants or bubbles in your water. However, two of the most common signs you may have a problem are smell and sound.
Odor Detection
Thanks to the strong sulfur-like smell added to natural gas, similar to rotten eggs, a gas leak is detectable long before it becomes dangerous. This safety feature is crucial for early detection, allowing you and your family to take action before the situation escalates.
Audible Clues
Hearing odd noises like hissing or whistling around gas lines or appliances can signal a potential gas leak, usually resulting from gas leaking out of its designated area. In these cases, reaching out to a licensed plumber certified for gas service is highly recommended. They can help determine whether the problem originates within your home’s gas system or if it’s an issue that the gas company needs to address.
What Do I Do When I Know I Have a Leak?
If you are suspicious of a gas leak, follow these steps to keep you and your family safe and to prevent any damage to your home:
- Get to safety: The most important thing to do is to get you and your family to a safe location outside of your house.
- Open your doors: Leave all outside doors open once you exit the house to keep the gas from building up inside.
- No electronics: Do NOT touch or unplug from any outlets or electronic devices. This could lead to a spark and cause a fire.
- Call for help to turn off the gas: Once you are safely out of the house, call your local gas company to come turn off your gas. However, it’s important to note, the gas company will not repair your leak.
- Call for help to fix the leak: Once the gas supply is turned off, contact a gas leak repair service, like Fix & Flow, to find and fix your leak.
Who Fixes Gas Leaks?
Only certain plumbers, specifically those who are licensed to do gas work, should address a gas leak in your home. Many leaks occur at connection points, often due to improper installation by contractors not licensed for gas work. In these cases, the resolution may be as simple as tightening loose fittings. Sometimes, however, the problem may be more severe and require extensive repairs.
The cost for gas leak repairs can vary significantly, ranging from a few hundred to several thousand dollars, depending on the extent of the damage and the parts required. The materials and parts used in gas piping are typically manufacturer-specific, which can sometimes delay repairs due to the need for specific replacement parts.
If the problem calls for it, updating your entire gas line system to ensure compliance with current safety standards may be necessary. No matter the level of difficulty your leak presents, our team of experts at Fix & Flow are equipped with the knowledge and tools to address these issues.
Guarding Your Home Against Gas Leaks
Your gas system is not something you think to check on every day, so regular maintenance and inspections of your appliances, including gas water heaters, stoves, grills, and fireplaces is the best way to prevent leaks. We strongly recommend scheduling annual inspections with certified and licensed professionals to identify and repair potential hazards. Additionally, ensuring the proper installation of gas appliances and being aware of changes in your appliance performance can help you catch an issue before it becomes serious. Simple steps like keeping the area around your gas appliances clean and uncluttered can also help reduce the risk of gas leaks.
Understanding and addressing gas leaks is paramount for ensuring the safety and security of your home and family. From early detection to quick, effective repair, the key lies in recognizing the signs and seeking professional assistance when needed. By taking proactive steps in prevention and maintenance, you can greatly enhance the protection of your loved ones. At Fix & Flow, our gas leak repair team is ready to support the Atlanta community with both the knowledge and services necessary to tackle these challenges with confidence.